"Your salary would depend on how many students you have and how big your school is, and I haven't started doing this for a living. The only reason a good Sifu charges money for classes is to pay for overhead," he said.

VIDEO: To learn more about Michael Sampson and the art of kung fun, click here.

How he got the job: Sampson become a Sifu seven years ago but has been training to become a master since he was 12.

"Not everyone can become a Sifu. Many can learn but not all can teach," Sampson said.

Sampson had to earn all of his sashes (commonly mistaken for belts) and learn Chinese terminology and drills. "I had to take a grueling final test that required 12 hours of drills every day for five days, non-stop."

Sifus don't choose to be a Sifu, Sampson said. "You are chosen to be a Sifu by your Sifu once you have reached a certain level. I was training in Phoenix at the time and left to come teach here in Savannah because I was born here and my family was here and there wasn't a school for kung fu in Savannah. The closest one was in Atlanta."

Educational background: Sampson has been studying the art of kung fu since he was 12 and has a high school diploma.

Previous work experience: "I am currently a mortgage broker, but that's not a great business to be in right now. For the most part, I have always been in the loan business. I don't job-hop much."

Perks: "The students all become like family to me. I am able to learn and teach discipline, balance and gaining self-esteem. In kung fu, you also learn how to become ambidextrous, which causes you to use both sides of your brain, which makes you more alert and aware."

Sampson also appreciates his effect on his students. He remembers one particular student who was struggling in school and had been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, prior to signing up for classes.

"After five months of being my student, that same boy became an honor roll student. I had his mother write up a letter so I could show the other parents." Sampson says he thinks that kung fu has a lot to offer children and adults for body and mind.

Drawbacks: "The only thing is that a lot of people want private lessons, and there just isn't enough time in the day," Sampson said.

First job: Out of high school, Sampson's first real job was in a Chinese restaurant. "I was young, all I did was cut vegetables, lots and lots of onions. I washed dishes, too."

Advice: "Take care of your body or else your body won't take care of you. Also, in everything you do, give it your all; don't just sit around and watch TV, and if you do, at least do push ups during commercials."

ON THE WEB

To learn more about Michael Sampson and the art of kung fu, go to savannahnow.com/video and click on the Exchange tab.